Bimmee



March 25 1924.

A. L. TURNER DIMMER Filed July so 1 I I I 1 I I R W W m ATTORNEY.

ANDREVJ L. TURNER, OF KIEFER, OKLAHOMA.

DIMMER.

Application filed July 30, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, ANDREW L. TURNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at llieler, in the'county of Greek and State of @klahoma, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Dimmers, of which the following is a specification. reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in dimmers and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which operates effectively to cut out the intensified or far reaching light rays so that the driver oi? an approaching car will not be blinded yet at the same time permitting the headlight to effectively illuminate the advance of the vehicle upon which it is mounted.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved dimmer Where-by certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as Will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel i'eatures of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

in order that my invention may be the better understood, 1 Will noW proceed to describe the same With reference to the accompanying drawings, Wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating a dimmer constructed in accordance With an embodiment of my invention and in applied position;

Figure 2 is an elevational View of the device as illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the shield in raised position;

Figure a is a sectional view taken substantially on the line l% of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating in detail the mounting of the shield and the parts concomitant thereto.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, C denotes a. headlight casing of a conventional type and which has arranged therein at the axial center thereof the illuminating member or lamp L.

Secured Within the casing C at the lower portion thereof is an upstanding post 1 of predetermined height and which has rotatably supported thereto a shaft 2, said Serial No. 654,656.

shaft being disposed in the same general direction as the axis of the headlight (l and substantially in parallelism therewith. Secured to the outer portion of the shaft 2 is an opaque shield 3 of celluloid or other suitable material, said shield being green, blue or of any desired color.

The shaft 2 inwardly or rearwardly of the post 1 has threaded thereon a pinion 1, said pinion being effectively maintained in ap plied position by the binding nuts 5 mounted upon the shaft 2 and in contact with the opposite sides of the pinion 4r.

The pinion d meshes with an arcuate rack 6 carried by an elongated member 7. The member 7 at its central part is provided with an arm 8 disposed in a direction away from the rack 6 and having its outer end portion pivotally connected as at 9 with the post 1 preferably to one side of the shaft 2.

One end portion of the member 7 has engaged therewith an extremity of a retractible member or coil spring 10, the opposite end portion of which being secured by the holding bolt 11 to the post 1.

The post 1 is provided with a foot 12 which has close contact With the reflector 14 arranged Within the casing C and the bolt 11 passes through said foot 12 and re- Hector 14 and is maintained in applied position by the nut 15. The bolt 11 is tubular and has disposed thercthrough the flexible member 16 Which is secured to the opposite end of the member 7. This member 16 is continued through the Wall proper or the casing and through a suitable guide tube 17, terminating in a button or head 18 which is so positioned as to be readily accessible to the driver of the car.

Normally the retractible member or spring 10 maintains the shield 3 in its lowermost position or below the member or lamp L. Upon imposing pull upon the flexible member 16 the shield 3 will swing upwardly and directly in advance of the member or lamp L whereby the direct or straightest light rays will be obstructed yet permitting sullicient illumination in advance of the vehicle to which the casing C is applied and yet preventing blinding of the driver of an approaching vehicle.

The post 1 is of a length to terminate be low the member or lamp L so that When the shield 3 is in its lovvemost or inoperative position no undue obstruction is ofifered to the rays emitted from the casing.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a dimmer constructed in accordance With my invention is particularly Well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it Will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not Wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. In combination with a lamp casing and an illuminating member positioned therein, an upstanding post supported by the casing and positioned therein a shaft rota-tably supported by the upper portion. of the post, an elongated member supported by the up per portion of the post for rocking movement, said member being provided with an arcuate rack, a pinion fixed to the shaft and meshing With the rack a spring operatively engaged With one end portion of the member for automatically moving the member in one direction manual means operatively engaged With the opposite end portion of the memher for imparting movement thereto in the opposite direction, and an opaque shield 1 ,eerrnee carried by the shaft saio. shield when in one position being directly in advance of the illuminating member and when in a second position being below the illuminating memher.

2. In combination with a lamp casing and an illuminating member positioned therein, an upstanding post supported by the casing and positioned therein, said post being provided with a foot a tubular bolt coasting with said foot and a Wall of the casing for holding the post in applied position, a shaft rotatably supported by the post, a shield fixed to the shaft said shield when in one position being directly in. advance of the illuminating member and when in lowered position being positioned below said. illuminating member, an elongated inen'iber sup ported by the post for rocking movement, said member being provided with an arcuate rack operatively engaged with the shaft, automatic means coacting with said member for rotating the shaft in a direction to maintain the shield in its lowered position, a flexible member secured to the member, and extending enteriorly of the casing through the tubular bolt, said flexible member pro viding means to main. illy move said member to adjust the shield to its raised position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature. a

ANDREW L. TURNER. 

